Lamp attachment for motion-picture-projecting machines



June 3 1924. 1,496,409

R. DILIONE, JR

LAMP ATTACHMENT FOR MOTION PICTURE PROJECTING MACHINES Filed May 30, 1922 I INVENTOR.

Patented June 3, 1924.

UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE ROCCO DILIONE, JR., OF RED BANK, NEW JERSEY.

LAMP ATTACHMENT FOR MOTION-PliCTURE-PROJECTING MACHINES.

Application filed May 20, 1922.

, picture projecting machines.

The object of the invention is to provide a lamp attachment for motion picture projecting' machines which is simple in structure, economical to manufacture and efiicient in use.

A further object is to provide a lamp attachment which is easily applied to a mo tion picture projecting machine, to sup 1 a source of light in order to enable the film to be easily and quickly threaded in the machine and properly framed or adjusted therein.

A further object is to provide a lamp attachment of the nature and character referred to wherein the lamp automatically lights up when required and moved into position for use. and is extinguished when not required and is moved out of position for use.

A further object is to provide an attachment of the nature and character referred to wherein, when in use, the projecting light or are is blanked or shielded, and which, when not in use, will not interfere with the normal operation of the projecting machine.

Other objects of the invention: will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claims. Re erring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a lamp attachment embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the manner of automatically; controlling the shutter of the projecting machine by the movement of the lamp into position for use.

Serial No. 562,465.

Fig. 4 is a detached detail view in elevation in the plane of the line 4, 4, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the contacts and insulating carrier block therefor which is carried by themovable part of the attachment.

Fig. 5 is a similar View in end elevation of the same.

Fig. 6 is a view in section on the line 6, 6, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, said view being turned on its side.

.The same part is designated by the same reference numeral whereverv it occurs throughout the several views.

In the practical operation of motion picture projecting machines it is necessary, in applying a reel of film, to accurately thread the film into and through the film guides and driving parts. It is also necessary to properly frame the film, that is, to adjust it with reference to the aperture through which the picture is thrown onto the screen, so that the picture occupies squarely and centrally the proper space and position in the machine. .This work is necessary to be performed every time a film reelis applied to the machine preparatory to the projection of the pictures, and, therefore, is of constant recurrence. To facilitate this work of threading and framing the film, it is a common expedient to employ a portable light which is held by the operator inone hand while with the other he tries to accomplish the threading and framing of the film.v This is exceedingly inconvenient and unsatisfactory as only one hand of the operator is available for the work to be done, and, besides, in moving the portable light around, it is liable to be revealed in the auditorium, which is also exceedingly objectionable. A portable light, moreover, is liable to become broken by being dropped or by striking against some part of the ma chine while beingemployed.

It is among the special purposes of my present invention to provide a light attachment which can be readily and easily applied to any projecting machine, and

. which avoids the disadvantages and objecmounted a head carrying a light source, such, for example, as an electric light bulb, the circuit wires for which lead up through the standard, which, preferably, and for this purpose, is made hollow or tubular. The lighting circuit is completed. through the lamp only when the pivoted head car-e rying the lamp is rocked down into position for contacts carried thereby to cooperate with the terminal contacts carried by the stand. I also propose, in accordance with my invention, to provide the movable head with a shield or blanking plate which, when the head, is moved into positionfor the lamp carried thereby to be used, serves to shield or blank the light or arc'of the projecting machine. I also propose to utilize the movement of the head into position for the lamp to be used for the purpose of automatically shifting the fire shutter of the projecting machine so that the work of threading and framing of the film may be observed by the operator while he is engaged in performing that work. The various features and conibinations constituting my invention may be embodied in a wide variety 0 specifically different mechanical-structures. While, therefore,,I have shown, and will now describe, one practical embodiment thereof which I have found to be satisfactory, it is to be understood, of course, that my invention in its broadest scope, and as defined in the claims is not to be limited or restricted to the exact structure shown.

In the, illustrative arrangement shown, I rovide a suitable base or bracket 10 which "1s adapted to be clamped or otherwisesecured to a convenient part of the frame of a projecting machine. Secured to this base or bracket 1s a standard, shown in this instance as a tubularstandardll. .A convenient arrangement is shown wherein the lower end of the standard is threaded and secured into a threaded socket with which the bracket is provided. By employing a tubular standard the circuit wires 12 of an electric light bulb may -be conveniently threaded through the tube and hence are removed from danger of being tripped over by the operator or of getting in the way of the operator while attending to the machine. Mounted upon the upper end of standard 11 is a head 13. .A simple andaconvenient manner of mounting the block 13 is shown wherein it is provided with a threaded socket to receive the threaded upper end of standard 11'. A screw 14; serves to lock the head in place. The head 13 carries on one face thereof an insulating block 15, upon which are mounted conducting strips 16 to which the wires 12.are.respectively connected. The strips 16 are mounted with- .in channels formedin the outer side of the insulating block 15.

bears against the face of head 13, or the hinge ear or projection 19 thereon. The purpose and function of this spring is to impose a tension on the carrier 17 tending to resist its hinging movement, and hence acting to hold the same in whatever position to which it may be rocked. Mounted upon the carrier 17 is an insulating block 22, which is held in place thereon in any convenient way, as, for example, by the dowel pins 23. The insulting block 22 is provided with channels in one face thereof in which are .mounted contact strips 24 to which the lamp conductors 25 are respectively connected. Binding screws 26 are shown as a form of means to secure the strips 24 to the block 22, and the conductors 25 to the contact strips. The-contact strips are shown in theform of flat springs and their free ends engage the heads of contact studs 27 which are carried by the insulating block 22.

The carrier 17 has mounted thereon a projection or extension 28 to which is pivotally connected, as at 29, a lamp socket 30, into which is received in any manner an electric light bulb 31 to the filament of which the conductors 25 are connected. The carrier '17 and head 13 are so relatively arranged that when the carrier is in its upper or raised position, the contact studs 27 are separated from the contact .strips 16 which are mounted on the insulating block 15 of the head 13, and hence the lamp circuit is-broken when the carrier occupies its upper or raised position, shown in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 2. When, however, the carrier isrocked down into its lower position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the contact studs 27 are yieldingly pressed against the contact strips 16, thereby completingthe lamp circuit, whereupon the lamp lights up.

By pivotally connecting the lamp socket .30 to the projection 28, I am enabled to adjust the position of the lamp when in its position for use so as to bestserve its purpose of facilitating the work of threadingand properly framing the film in the projecting machine.

While the work of threading and framing the film is being accomplished. it is necessary to blank or shield the film from the well known rier 17 down into the position thereof and expeditiously.

intense heat of the projecting are or light of the machine, thereby eliminating the posing or shield plate 33 suitably fastened to the carrier 17. A. handle 34, carried by the plate 33, affords convenient means for rocking the carrier 17 upon the head 13. 1 also propose; in accordance with my invention, to utilize the rocking movement of the carrier to effect the raising of the shutter of, the projecting machine so as to enable the operator to see into the machine while threading and framing the film.' For this purpose I mount anv arm 35, on the carrier 17, and arrange the free end of said arm to engage the fire shutter support, when the carrier is swung down into position for use of the lamp, and automatically raise the shutter. Instead of the arm 35 engaging the shutter support, I prefer to mount a spring plate 36 in the end of the arm, thereby serving a desirable yielding tension engaging the support 37 of the. shutter 38, as indicated in "dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The operation of the attachment is very simple. Assuming the parts to be in the positions thereof, as shown in Fig. 1 and in .full lines in Fig. 2, it will be understood that the circuit of lamp 31 is open and the lamp is dead, and the lamp,its carrier and the shield plate are out of theway of any interference with the operation of the projecting machine. When it becomes necessary to replace or adjust the film the operator grasps the handle 34 and rocks the carshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This brings the contact studs 27 into contact with strips 16, thereby completing the lamp circuit and the lamp lights up. The same movement causes the arm 35, Or the spring 36 to engage the fire shutter support 37 and raise the shutter 38. The carrier is retained in its lowered position by the tension of spring 21. The operator may then adjust the position of the lamp socket on its pivot 29 so as to get the best position for the lamp.

He then proceeds to effect the threading and proper framing of the film, having available both hands for this work. This enables the threading and framing of the film to be accomplished satisfactorily, accurately Meanwhile the light from the arc of the projecting machine is shielded by the plate 33. 'When the work is completed the carrier is again rocked into its raised position where the parts are out of the way of any interference with the normal operation of the projecting machine. The restoration of the carrier to its raised position opens the lamp circuit and the lamp is therefore extinguished.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple, advantageous, convenient and efficient lamp attachment forv motion picture projecting machines which greatly facilitates the work of threading and framing the films, in which work the operator is enabled to employ both hands as he does .not have to hold the lamp in one of them. Economy is secured since current to the lamp'is automatically cut off when the lampis raised out of position for use. The'danger of injury or breakage of the lamp is avoided, as is also the danger of the lamp light penetrating to the auditorium as it is likely to do if the lamp is moved about by hand. Moreover, the shutter of the projecting machine is automatically raised by the act of lowering the lamp into position for use. It will of course be understood that as the lamp 31 is for use mainly as a trouble lamp to enable the operator to easily and quickly thread the film into the machine, and to serve similar or like purposes, and is illuminated only when required. for such or similar use, it is only necessary for such lamp to supply light sufficient for thi purpose and consequently need only be of small illuminating power, say, for example, of 5 to 10 watts power as compared with the 3,000 watt power or more required for the projecting lamp.

Many variations and changes in the details will readily occur to persons skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact details shown and described.

But having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention. and a structure embodying the principles thereof what I claim as new and useful. and, of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines comprising a standard adapted. to be attached to the machine, a carrier pivotally mounted on the end of said standard to form a prolongation thereof, a lamp mounted on'said carrier, and means controlled by the rocking movements of said carrier to close or open the circuit'of the lamp.

2. A lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines comprising a standard adapted to be attached to the machine, a carrier pivotally mounted on said standard, a lamp pivotally mounted on said carrier, and means controlled by the rocking movements of the carrier to close or open the circuit of the lamp.

3. A lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines comprising a standard adapted to be attached to the machine, a carrier pivotally mounted on said standard,

a lamp mounted on said carrier, a shield plate also mounted on said carrier and disposed at one side of the lamp, and contacts respectively carried by the carrier and standard for controlling the circuit of the lamp.

4. A lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines comprising a standard adapted to be attached to the machine, a carrier pivotally mounted on the end of said standard toform a prolongation thereof, a shield mounted on said carrier, a lamp carried by the carrier and disposed at one side of the shield, and means controlled by the rocking movements of said carrier to close or open the circuit of the lamp.

5. A lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines comprising a standard adapted to be attached to the machine, a carrier pivotally mounted on said standard, a lamp pivotally mounted on said carrier, and means controlled by the rocking movements of said carrier to close or open the circuit of the'lamp.

6. In a lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines, a standard adapted to be attached to the machine, a head carried at the end thereof, and insulated contacts carried by said head, in combination with a carrier pivotally connected to said head, a lamp mounted onsaid head, insulated contacts also carried by said carrier and arranged to contact with the insulated contacts on the head when the carrier is rocked into its lowered position, said several contacts controlling the circuit of the lamp.

7. In a lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines, a standard adapted to be attached to the machine, a head carried at the end of said standard, insulated contactscarried by said head, in combination with af'carrier pivotally connected to, said head, a lamp mounted on "said carrier,.insulated contacts also carried by said carrier and arranged to contact with the insulated contacts on the head when the carrier is rocked into its lowered position, said several contacts controlling the circuit' of the lamp, and a sprin connected to said carrier and engaging said head to hold the carrier in adjusted position on said head.

9. In a lamp attachment for motion picture projecting machines, astandard adapted to-be attached to the machine, a head carried thereby, and insulated contacts car ried by said head, in combination with a carrier pivotally connected to said head, a lamp mounted on said head, insulated contacts also carried by said carrier and arranged to contact with the insulated contacts on the head when the carrier is rocked into its lowered position, said several contacts controlling the circuit of the lamp, and a shield plate mounted on the carrier and arranged at one side of the lamp.

10. The combination with a motion pic ture projecting machine and its shutter, of

a lamp attachment including a pivotally -mounted carrier, a lamp carried thereby,

and an arm also mounted on said carrier and arranged to move the shutter when said carrier is rocked down into position for use of said lamp.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this thirteenth. day of May, A. D. 1922.

Rocco nitrous, an. 

